I have a dilemma.....

[Former_Member]

Like all members, I visit the many shops on ETSY. I have come across some shops that carry goods produced directly from a manufacturer. I know this to be true because I buy the same collection for another website that I own. A little part of me just wants to leave it alone and go on with my day. But the other part of me is totally bothered by it because I take to heart the ETSY handmade policy. What is the proper measure to take? Peace.

[EarthborneArt]

Hi Sabrina, there's a report this shop link on every shop page. Click on it and report it. Be sure to include proof, like links to the merchandise sold on other sites.

ETA: it's on the bottom left.

[Former_Member]

Reporting is sometimes a hard thing to do because you're messing with someone's business, but it has to be done to keep Etsy top-notch.

I've had items reported (never removed), and all it has done is strengthen my shop and made my listings better.

[HausofAriella]

Are they selling supplies? Supplies and vintage items are the exception to the handmade policy, so don't worry about it if that's the case. If they're selling the items as handmade, then you should report the shop. Before you do that though, I'd try to make very sure that they actually are the same items and don't just look similar or haven't been altered to make them fit within Etsy's definition of handmade, because it can create a lot of problems for a shop owner if they're items are incorrectly reported.

[Former_Member]

No, I'm 110% sure they are not handmade by the actual shop owner. Thank you for your advice!!

[heartsabustin]

Report away - if you want to send me a link to the Etsy shop and to the site they're buying from, I'll report them, too. :D

[Former_Member]

Definitely report!!!! Anything to keep the resellers at bay is worth doing. It's our business because we sell on the same site. When the site's credibility and integrity is partially compromised, that's our problem too. So definitely, report!